TSA Austin (AUS) K9 teams joined numerous other K9 teams from across the state at the quarterly Multi-Agency Canine Training Roundup, held in San Antonio, Texas, at the VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority – Robert Thompson Transit Station.
The Roundup involves multiple agencies coming together at different Austin and San Antonio locations, such as Delco Activity Center at Austin (AUS), the Alamo Stadium or Bobcat Stadium at TSU, based on venue availability. Regardless of the city boundaries, all participants are from areas throughout Texas.
“We have been fortunate enough for our local cities, organizations and Independent School Districts to host our events at their facilities,” said AUS TSA Training Instructor Matt Kinney.
“Without our hosts, the Federal Bureau of Investigations and all the other teams, our training events would be fruitless!”
FBI teams are always eager to support these multi-agency exercises, by providing training aids, intel and best practices. The K9 teams always appreciate the additional challenges when FBI shows up with new scenarios. The Roundup event provides a place for federal, state and local teams build camaraderie and networking.
The Canine Training Instructors (CTIs) establish, maintain and strengthen collaborative relationship with multiple federal, state and local law enforcement organizations by providing large venue training events for explosives detection canine teams. For the past couple of years, the event has grown, attracting as many as 85 teams from all over Texas.
“The Texas Multi-Agency Canine Training Roundup provides great training opportunities for all, allowing teams to share best practices, and provide great lessons learned that can be invaluable in a ‘real world’ scenario,” said Richard Nicolai, AUS TSA K9 Supervisor.
“I find it great to come together, collaborate and conduct advanced training outside the box,” said Orlando Nunez, San Antonio TSA CTI.
No awards are given because it is not a competition but a chance to learn and grow as canine handlers.
“The multi-agency meet-ups are good for training and checking our knowledge,” reflected San Antonio VIA Metropolitan Transit K9 handler Officer Esperanza DiCostanzo. “The events keep me prepared and offer new ways to test myself and my canine partner Bella in new areas and venues. Should there be a need to assist other agencies at places like hospitals or high schools, we already have some familiarity in those settings. Also, coming together with other K9 teams helps us see and learn how we do our searches with other teams to address any bomb threats in areas we've never worked before.”
“Being able to meet other K9 teams helps us meld together should we ever meet again in an emergency,” said AUS TSA Federal Security Director Gilbert “Gill” Almaraz, a former member of the U.S. Air Force Security Police canine program. “The FBI is always a great partner with training aides that keep us sharp--with new stuff.”